This course is designed to increase your knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Physics and its many applications in modern society. It provides the opportunity to develop skills necessary to find solutions to scientific problems, such as experimenting, investigating and analysing, and gives a deeper insight into the structure of the subject. The course makes a valuable contribution to your general education and provides a sound basis for further study.
The skills you learn on this course are valuable for careers in medicine, energy, industry, material development, the environment and sustainability.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Uniformed and Security Services
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have achieved:
The course consists of three areas of study.
Our dynamic Universe
Topics covered: motion – equations and graphs; forces, energy and power; collisions, explosions and impulse; gravitation; special relativity; the expanding Universe.
Particles and waves
Topics covered: forces on charged particles; the Standard Model; nuclear reactions; inverse square law; weave-particle duality; interference; spectra; refraction of light.
Electricity
Topics covered: monitoring and measuring AC; current, potential difference, power, and resistance; electrical sources and internal resistance; capacitors; semiconductors and p-n junctions.
The course assessment has three components totalling 175 marks:
For the assignment component, you will research a topic, gather information and produce a report based on your research.
Both the question papers and the assignment are set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
